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Costly Commitment's trainer Mick Price said he was happy with barrier six because there was "a push to the first corner" from the race's start position in the Flemington straight.

While there is always doubt about whether spring three-year-olds will stay the distance, Price said his charge "shapes as a stayer."

Asked about the long-term plans for Costly Commitment, he said he had hoped to have "a gelded good-earning son of Encosta", but if he won he may have to reassess that strategy.

The youngest trainer in the race, Trent Busuttin, said he hoped Sangster would be sixth or seventh in the run and "peeling off Manawanui ... at the 200m mark".

He said Sangster was bred to "get over a bit of ground".

Mike Moroney admitted that he had expected Sabrage to be a Caulfield Guineas (1600 metres) contender before this campaign, given his breeding. But, like most connections at the gathering, he was hoping that his young charge was ready to prove that he could go quicker at the end of 2500 metres than at the start.